Brave Molly
on Goodreads (565)
What’s inside...
In this moving adventure, Molly is haunted by invisible monsters that only she can see. At first, she tries to run from them, but they follow her everywhere, interfering with her attempts to make a new friend and constantly appearing out of nowhere. As the monsters continue to multiply, Molly eventually confronts and faces her fears. Author-illustrator Brooke Boynton-Hughes delivers a modern classic that highlights everyday acts of bravery and the transformative power of friendship to banish the monsters that haunt us.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Molly was feeling when she saw the shadow creatures? How would you feel?
Why do you think Molly drew pictures of the creatures? What do you like to do when you're feeling scared?
How did Molly show bravery in the story? Can you think of a time when you did something brave?
What do you think happened to the creatures at the end of the story? Why do you think that happened?
How do you think Molly felt after she faced the shadows? How do you feel after you face something that scares you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing a personal story about a time when you felt scared and how you managed to overcome it. This can make the topic more relatable and encourage open communication.
While discussing Molly's actions, gently prompt your child to make connections to their own experiences. This helps children process their emotions and understand their own acts of bravery.
Ask your child to draw or write about a scary moment they faced, similar to how Molly did in the book. This creative expression can provide insight into their feelings and help you discuss them together.
Be patient and give your child time to think about and answer the questions. Sometimes, children need a moment to formulate their thoughts about complex topics like fear and bravery.
Encourage your child to speculate and imagine different outcomes for the story, fostering their creative and critical thinking skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Overcoming Fear
Explanation: In 'Brave Molly,' the protagonist faces her fears depicted as shadowy monsters that follow her. She confronts them, teaching children the importance of facing and overcoming their fears.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to address their fears directly, whether it's fear of the dark, starting a new school, or speaking in front of a class.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Molly shows resilience by persistently facing her challenges throughout the book, despite the overwhelming presence of the shadow monsters.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to persist through difficulties in their own lives, helping them build perseverance and resilience.
Example Lesson: The Power of Imagination
Explanation: Molly uses her imagination to transform her fears into less intimidating forms, demonstrating that creativity can be a tool for problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children can use imaginative play and creative thinking to deal with personal challenges and enhance problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: As readers see the world from Molly's perspective and understand her fears, they learn to empathize with others who have similar feelings.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand and be compassionate towards the fears and feelings of their peers.
Example Lesson: Courage to Express Oneself
Explanation: Molly's journey culminates in her using drawing to express her fears. This act of bravery highlights the importance of self-expression.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to find and use their own unique ways of expressing themselves, be it through art, writing, or speech.